There are many different kinds of cancers. The human cell, which is the basic component of the body, is so complicated, even more so than a computer. The final outcome of a cancer cell is that it cannot stop dividing. There might, however, be different things that might have gone wrong within the cell.
Scientists have only in recent years been able to further understand and classify these different kinds of cancer at the most molecular level. As we begin to understand more about these cancers, it becomes apparent that we might need to tailor specific therapies for each subset of cancers.
The good news is that more and more therapies are being developed and we will continue to make progress towards fighting cancer.
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
New Exciting Therapies
Recent new exciting antibody-based therapies have been developed. Antibodies are basically proteins that are synthesised in our bodies as part of our immune system to protect us from germs and bacteria.
The thing that is good about antibodies are that they are very good at recognising foreign stuff in our body and bind to them very tightly. Scientist have found various means of exploiting the use of antibodies such that they are useful in the treatment of some cancers.
One very successful example is herceptin, which has been useful in treatment of a certain subset of breast cancer.
The thing that is good about antibodies are that they are very good at recognising foreign stuff in our body and bind to them very tightly. Scientist have found various means of exploiting the use of antibodies such that they are useful in the treatment of some cancers.
One very successful example is herceptin, which has been useful in treatment of a certain subset of breast cancer.
Cancer Treatments
Traditional treatments includes surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. They can be used in combinations. Both radiotherapy (High energy radiation) and chemotherapy (drugs)are used to try to cause the cancer cells to commit suicide (Apoptosis), leading to shrinkage of tumour.
What is Cancer?
Many people have asked me this question before? What exactly is cancer, and are we finding a treatment for it soon?
Cancer basically occurs when a group of cells in your body misfunction and fails to stop dividing, becoming uncontrollable. These cancer cells forms a clump of cells, which can affect the normal healthy ones around them. This damages bodily function depending on where the cancer cells are located.
As the cancer develops, it can grow and break through into the blood stream, and these cells gets distributed around the body (Metastasis). This becomes serious because now they can affect different parts of the body.
Cancer basically occurs when a group of cells in your body misfunction and fails to stop dividing, becoming uncontrollable. These cancer cells forms a clump of cells, which can affect the normal healthy ones around them. This damages bodily function depending on where the cancer cells are located.
As the cancer develops, it can grow and break through into the blood stream, and these cells gets distributed around the body (Metastasis). This becomes serious because now they can affect different parts of the body.
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